It will amend the Waqf Act, 1995 and the word Waqf has been substituted with  “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development”.

• Earlier,  amendments were made in 2013 based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajinder Sachar and the Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Key features of the bill

• Database of waqf and the property dedicated to the waqf to be registered on the portal within a period of six months from commencement of the act.
• Define “waqf” as waqf by any person practicing Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property
• Ensure women’s and non muslim representation on the Central Waqf Council and state boards.
• The Central Government may direct the audit of any waqf at any time by an auditor appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
• The District Collector will decide whether a disputed property is Waqf or government land.

Objectives of the bill

• To effectively address issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, etc.
• To enhance the efficiency of the administration and management of the waqf properties.